NICK SABAN IS POKING THE BEAR

Saban's statue already stands outside Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, and only the figure of Gene Stallings, coach of the 1992 national champs, stands between Saban and Bear Bryant on the Walk of Champions. Saban is bronzed in the moment between claps to exhort his charges while Bryant dons a houndstooth hat and holds a rolled-up play sheet in his right hand. The men are different, but their records are increasingly similar. Saban is one national title from tying Bryant with six in his career. Saban will need two more with the Tide to tie Bryant's mark on campus, but nothing is out of reach for Saban now as the Tide keeps rolling forward.

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DESHAUN WATSON IS A WIZARD

The Clemson quarterback finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting last month, but he started his campaign for next year with a thoroughly impressive performance on the game's biggest stage. He threw for 405 yards and rushed for another 73. His throws were accurate -- save for the interception --and Clemson pushed Alabama to the limit with big plays in a fast pace offense. Count Watson as a Heisman favorite set to battle with Stanford tailback Christian McCaffrey for top billing next season. There is no slowing the quarterback who earned the starting job as true freshman and led Clemson to a 14-0 record and spot in the College Football Playoff championship game as a sophomore.

Nick Saban (c.) does it again, winning his fourth title in seven years with Alabama. (Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports)

KIRBY SMART HEADS OFF TO RUN HIS OWN PROGRAM NOW

The new Georgia coach has been by Saban's side at LSU, in the NFL with the Dolphins and all nine years at Alabama. He is more personable than Saban, and will have his chance as the hot coordinator to sell future Bulldogs on what he has learned under the master. In replacing Mark Richt in Athens, Smart, the defensive coordinator at Alabama since 2008, will be charged with challenging the Tide as the SEC's top team in order to break through in a way that Richt never could during his tenure. Smart is also bringing Alabama defensive backs coach Mel Tucker to be his defensive coordinator.

URBAN MEYER WON'T WANT TO REPEAT AS A BROADCASTER

The three-time national champion looked on from the sideline as a guest analyst Monday night as Saban extended his lead over Meyer with another trophy. Meyer's team claimed the inaugural College Football Playoff trophy in 2015, and he will train his players' attention on returning to that stage in 2017. His quarterback, J.T. Barrett, will be back, but he will have to replace the likes of defensive lineman Joey Bosa and linebacker Darron Lee. Cornerback Eli Apple is headed to the NFL, as well. There is plenty of work to be done in Columbus following the Buckeyes' Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame.

DERRICK HENRY WILL TRY TO PROVE HE'S BETTER THAN TRENT RICHARDSON

On the road to claiming his Heisman Trophy, Henry drew comparisons to former Crimson Tide rushers like Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman winner, and Trent Richardson, the third-place finisher in 2011. Henry went for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns in the title win. At 6-3, 242 pounds, he likely heads into the NFL Draft process with a head of steam and insistence that he will continue his bruising manner in the league.